The six-part series will follow Hammond and his 'secret service' - a specially trained team of actors and comedians - who can be hired by members of the public to pull off absurd pranks on friends and family.

"Richard has proved to be an enormous treat for the Saturday night audience with his own unique brand of humour," said Mark Linsey, BBC One's controller of entertainment commissioning.

"I think the viewers are going to enjoy his Secret Service as much as they have Total Wipeout."

The new series is from Initial - an Endemol company - who previously produced Total Wipeout for BBC One.

"Following on from the great fun we've had with Total Wipeout, we're delighted to be working with Richard Hammond again," said Nick Samwell-Smith, creative director at Initial.

"This exciting new hidden camera show... will make for great family viewing on Saturday nights."